I for one am very happy to see that people are trying to bring more awaqreness to mental health. For whatever reason, there always seems to be a certain "silence" that dances aroiunds the topic of Mental Health. Be it depression, anxiety, OCD (or others), there seems to be certain attitudes people take when learing that one has a Mental Illness. The fact however that is more scary, is that 1 in 5 Canadians suffer from some form of Menatl Illnesss...and becasue of the stigma they may be labeled with, or the lack of awareness of the resources that are out there, they will suffer in silence.
Dont be afraied to ask for help. No that you are not alone. Silence will not help the cause, talking about it will.
The statistic of 1 in 5 is a HUGE number...that number means all of us know people that deal with some form of Mental Illness; maybe you deal with it yourself. Dont be caught in placing judgement. People suffering need support. Ask HOW you can help. And if you suffer, ask for help.
In my experience, it is the not knowing what to do or say that is the worst part. I find myself "supporting" how I think I should...if you are in a position to help someone, ask them what they need. Listen. In listening we learn...we can learn what the person needs in order to recieve the support we want to offer.
For everyone it is different.
But instead of not doing anything...instead of not knowing what to do (so therefore ignoring the situation), just ask. Talk. Ensure the person...or people...in your life that deal with Menatl Illness know that you are there for them. That they are not alone. That there is hope.
